Exclusive reporting reveals that government ministers have been unable to strip Wayne Couzens, the former police officer who raped and murdered Sarah Everard, of a portion of his public sector pension. Officials are now considering introducing new legislation if necessary to resolve the issue, according to documents shared with Sky News.
Background of the Case
In March 2021, while serving as a Metropolitan Police officer, Wayne Couzens used his police warrant to falsely arrest Sarah Everard as she walked home from a friend's house in south London during the COVID-19 pandemic. He subsequently raped and murdered her, leading to widespread public outrage and scrutiny of police conduct.
Pension Forfeiture Efforts
In 2023, London Mayor Sadiq Khan successfully petitioned the home secretary to revoke any pension payments Couzens could have earned from his service with the Metropolitan Police. However, Khan also identified that Couzens had "approximately seven years' pension service" with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) between 2011 and 2018, as detailed in a letter obtained by Sky News.
The CNC is a specialized force responsible for guarding nuclear facilities, overseen by the UK Atomic Energy Authority and ultimately under the jurisdiction of the energy secretary, unlike other police forces that report to the home secretary. In his 2023 correspondence to then-Energy Secretary Grant Shapps, Khan emphasized that this portion of Couzens' pension "sits outside the normal police pension regulations," complicating forfeiture efforts.
Legal and Administrative Hurdles
Freedom of information data indicates that no pension forfeitures have been processed by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary between 2020 and September 2025, a situation that reportedly persists. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated they are "absolutely determined that Wayne Couzens does not receive a Civil Nuclear Constabulary pension," but acknowledged an ongoing and complex legal process.
Sky News has learned that the government is actively considering legislation to address this impasse if required. The CNC confirmed that upon Couzens' conviction, they recommended to the employing force that he lose his pension benefits, but noted they lack direct decision-making authority in such matters.
Statements from Officials
Mayor Sadiq Khan, who also serves as London's police and crime commissioner, expressed strong opposition to Couzens receiving any pension funds. "After committing such heinous crimes, Wayne Couzens should not receive a penny in taxpayer-funded pension. Londoners would be furious if he did," Khan told Sky News. He added, "Every possible step should be taken to ensure that Wayne Couzens does not receive his Civil Nuclear Constabulary pension."
Pension Forfeiture Mechanics
Bethan Shellard-Dedman, a lecturer in policing practice, explained the intricacies of pension forfeiture. Typically, if forfeiture is successful, the individual officer receives back their personal contributions, while the state retains the portion funded by the police service, which is taxpayer-supported. She noted, "If you think of that pot as a whole as 100%, what the force contributes is normally around 65%. They can either get the full 65% back, or they can get 30% back, in which case the officer would then retain some police pension. But it depends on the individual award."
Shellard-Dedman further clarified that while Couzens' pension would be suspended during his imprisonment, upon his death, his family could potentially be entitled to up to 50% of the pension benefits. The requirements for forfeiture include convictions for offences against the Official Secrets Act or crimes that are "gravely injurious to the interests of the state," connected to police service, or likely to cause serious loss of public confidence.
Crimes and Convictions
Wayne Couzens has been convicted not only for the 2021 rape and murder of Sarah Everard but also for indecent exposure offences in February 2021 and 2020. These crimes occurred during his tenure with the Metropolitan Police, underscoring the severity of his misconduct while in a position of public trust.
The ongoing struggle to fully revoke his pension highlights broader challenges in holding public servants accountable for egregious violations, with legal frameworks and jurisdictional issues posing significant obstacles to justice.
